17 Debt?

"How do I look?" 

Lady Clement spun around. 

The sleeves and blouse were vague of a gypsy. The skirt consisted of ruffled tiers of burnt orange satin that ended in a ragged hem just above the ankle, as if the seamstress had suddenly been called away before completing her task, along with shades of violet flecked with white that seemed to undulate of their own volition. 

A spidery black lace bodice consummated the ensemble. The dress brought out her sapphire eyes, making them glow and stood out. 

"Oh, dear! Holy gorgeous! I knew it would look fabulous on you, it was as if made just for you to wear," The old lady gushed out. "Don't you think so, young man?"

"As stunning as ever, My Lady," Jian Yu praised.

"Old grandma, please make another set in men's attire for him," Lady Clement continued to twirl around, examining herself in the full body length mirror. 

"Ah, wait, My Lady. That isn't necessary," Jian Yu blinked. Why would she make one for him too? 

"Well, I can't have my dance partner dressing like that, right?" Lady Clement stopped twirling and spun to look at Jian Yu. 

Her blazing blue eyes raked over him from head to toe before shaking her head. 

"Huh? Me? Your dance partner?" 

"Oh my-- is this the so-called fiance?" The old lady asked, her eyes sparkled brightly, ready to absorb any being spilled here. 

"Don't be nosy and keep your nose to yourself, grandma," Lady Clement tsked and crossed her arms, glaring at the old lady. "Have it done by tomorrow morning." 

"My Lady! You don't have to--" 

"And you, shut up." 

Jian Yu immediately snapped his mouth shut. Lady Clement shrugged the newly made dress off and handed it to the old lady who had it folded and placed it back inside the box. 

She wore the simple black gown on and flipped her hair. 

"Get going, I have many places to visit before going back home." 

"W--Wait, My Lady…!" Jian Yu hurriedly bowed and thanked the old lady and rushed after Lady Clement. The old lady had shoved the pink box in his arms before he exited the shop. 

"My Lady! What do you mean by that?" Jian Yu quickened his steps so he could keep up with her. The pink box was quite heavy with the dress inside. 

Lady Clement ignored him and continued strolling through the festival, looking through the stands and searching for something that managed to catch her attention. 

"My Lady, it is inappropriate to have your own bodyguard as your dance partner, you should be asking--"

"Zeke Roderick?" Lady Clement cut him off and scoffed. "I wouldn't stoop that low to ask him for that." 

"He is soon going to be your fiance, My Lady," Jian Yu stressed out. "And I can't be your dance partner, please find someone more appropriate." 

Lady Clement stopped walking and turned to glance at Jian Yu. "Can't or won't?"

"I--I…" 

"Anyway, I am not asking or requesting you to be my dance partner, I am ordering you to." 

She turned back and continued strolling, stopping at a food seller stand. It sold different kinds of bagels, with various fillings. 

"My Lady, you know… I can't dance…" Jian Yu tried to persuade her not to choose him. 

"And you expect me to believe that? Everyone learned to dance the moment they reached the age of 18. How old are you?" 

She ordered two bagels as she answered him. 

'But… I really don't know how to…' Jian Yu was really dreading the event tomorrow. How was he going to dance?! He didn't even know the basic steps, for sure!

After she received her orders, she stalked away and Jian Yu hurried after her. 

"My Lady…" He tried again. "Are you sure about your decision? Lord Zero won't be--"

She suddenly whirled around and glared at him. Her nostrils flared and she tilted her head to the side. 

"Who cares about that greedy old geezer? That man, who only prioritizes his reputation and wealth more than anything… I will destroy it all," She gritted under her teeth, seething. "I will crush everything he had built and made him experience how it felt to have something precious of his lost!" 

Right after spitting those words, they had gained an audience. Apparently, she had shouted it out. Hushed whispers spread among them. A few heads leaned towards each other with hands covering their mouth, some pointing at her. 

Her eyes darted wildly among the crowd. Realizing the situation she made, she flushed deep red and ran. 

"M--my Lady…! Wait!" Jian Yu ran after her, carrying the pink box. The weight had hindered his movements. 

'Ah…' He nodded inside himself while chasing her. 'It's no wonder then, why she did what she did.' 

But then again, why did she hate her father so much when that man only thought of his daughter? 

XXX

Zeke was walking idly, strolling through the stands, hoping to run into the silver head beauty he always dreamed about. 

Wearing a simple white button-up shirt with light brown trousers, he was greeted by many people, be it old or young. A few omegas flocked around him and alpha friends that gave him a toss here and there. 

"--crush everything he had built and made him experience how it felt to have something precious of his lost!" 

A female voice rang through the streets. Everyone paused whatever they were doing and turned to take a peek, a glance, or whatever to fulfill their thirst for gossip. 

"What happened?" Zeke asked the redhead omega closest to him, this young man had been clinging onto his arm for a while. 

Zeke had wanted to shake him off, but he latched himself onto his arm like a leech. 

"Ahh… That? Looks like the arrogant princess made another commotion," the redhead omega explained. 

Everyone in this town knew who the 'arrogant princess' was. It was none other than Clementine Zero. 

"Crush? Who is she talking about?"

"Where are her manners?"

"--look at her scolding her butler again…"

"No one will work for them unless they are desperate for money." 

"Poor boy, look at him." 

"He must have too much debt on his shoulders to be working there…" 

Everyone watching the commotion produced different reactions. Some shook their heads, while others gathered the information to have something to gossip about. 

All of their eyes followed the turn of events when the silver head young man ran after the arrogant princess. 

Another chorus of whispers rose from the crowd, speaking out their opinions, yet the only thing that ran through Zeke's mind was… 

"Debt?"